Former NBA All-Star Gilbert Arenas and five co-defendants face federal charges for allegedly operating an illegal gambling enterprise from his Encino, California mansion.
The 43-year-old former guard is charged with conspiracy to operate an illegal gambling business, operating an illegal gambling business, and making false statements to federal investigators. He appeared for arraignment Wednesday afternoon in the United States District Court in downtown Los Angeles, facing a potential maximum sentence of five years in federal prison per count if convicted.
Among those arrested Wednesday was 49-year-old Yevgeni Gershman, identified by the US Attorney’s Office of the Central District of California as a suspected organized crime figure from Israel.
According to the unsealed federal indictment, Arenas and his co-defendants operated the illegal gambling business between September 2021 and July 2022. Arenas rented his Encino mansion to co-conspirators who hosted illegal “Pot Limit Omaha” poker games and other gambling activities, collecting fees from each pot either as a percentage or fixed amount per hand.
The operation included elaborate support services. Gershman allegedly hired women who served drinks, provided massages, and offered companionship to poker players in exchange for tips, with the business operators taking a percentage of their earnings. The games were also staffed with chefs, valets, and armed security guards.
Arenas enjoyed a distinguished NBA career as a three-time All-Star and earned All-NBA recognition, making the second team in 2006-07 and the third team in both 2004-05 and 2005-06. Over 552 regular-season games, he averaged 20.7 points, 5.3 assists, 3.9 rebounds, and 1.6 steals while playing for the Golden State Warriors (2001-03), Washington Wizards (2003-10), Orlando Magic (2010-11), and Memphis Grizzlies (2012).
However, his career was significantly impacted by a December 2009 incident involving firearms in the Washington Wizards locker room. Following a dispute with teammate Javaris Crittenton during a card game on a team flight, both players brought guns to the facility. Arenas pleaded guilty to felony gun possession and received a 50-game suspension for the remainder of the 2009-2010 season.
The Warriors originally selected Arenas in the second round (31st overall) of the 2001 NBA Draft following his college career at Arizona.
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